Online Reporter
Ray Bande in Mutare
Manica Diamonds 1-0 ZPC Kariba
A late penalty was all that Manica Diamonds needed to dismiss ZPC Kariba in a dull Castle Lager Premiership tie played at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare yesterday.
The first-half was a tale of missed opportunities, especially for the hosts whose blunt strikeforce took turns to miss clear cut scoring chances.
The hosts came close to scoring when Charles Teguru flicked a good cross from impressive attacking midfielder Ask Rupande but his effort went wide of target.
As the Gem Boys continued piling pressure on their opponents, three minutes before the break, well positioned and unmarked Anelka Chivandire got to the end of a Lawrence Masibera low cross but the former blasted his effort way over the cross bar.
ZPC Kariba almost took the lead in the 85th minute when goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi spotted an unmarked Boid Matukure in the middle of the park and the latter went on a solo run, charging towards the Manica Diamonds goal area only to fail to convert in a goalkeeper-to-beat situation.
The hosts were awarded a penalty after Collen Muleya’s clumsy challenge on goalbound Fortune Bhinzi.
Upstepped striker Evans Katema sent ZPC Kariba goalminder Munditi the wrong way to give the Gem Boys a well-deserved lead.
Five minutes later, ZPC Kariba were further weakened after referee Trinity Dirwai sent Simbarashe Chimanikire for an early shower for assaulting a ball boy who was taking long to release the ball.
Meanwhile, Juan Mutudza’s brace handed Caps United a full set of points at Greenfuel Arena in another Castle Lager match played yesterday.
